Free Web NovelChapter 33: Chapter 33: Saving a Mysterious Old Man and Receiving a Ring Token
"Of course, the orphanage director is a great mom." Bai Xiaolang was terrified Lu Tingyan would discover Bai Su had actually mistreated them in the past and would take him away by force.
"My mom at the orphanage is the best person in the world! She’s a much better parent than a father like you who just came out of nowhere!"
"If you dare try to separate me and her, you’ll be my enemy forever!"
Lu Tingyan scoffed. "I hardly think becoming your enemy is anything to be afraid of. After all... you’re just a little weakling, aren’t you?"
Bai Xiaolang felt provoked. "Just stay away from my mom at the orphanage!"
The atmosphere in the car was fraught with tension. Yodel silently raised the partition between the driver’s and back seats.
’It’s better not to get too involved in the Colonel’s family affairs.’
’One master was difficult enough to serve. With a little terror like this added to the mix, how was he supposed to go on?’
When Bai Xiaolang returned to the mountaintop orphanage, the restaurant had already closed for the night.
A group of males were fawning over Bai Su, chattering away as they tried to win her favor.
Lu Tingyan’s expression darkened, his face falling into a grim line.
Bai Xiaolang’s expression wasn’t any better.
He leaped from the car and scrambled through the crowd, pushing people aside to throw his arms around Bai Su’s legs. "Mom!"
’He was deliberately leaving out the word "Director."’
As he crashed into her, Bai Su’s heart softened. She said with an amused laugh, "What are you doing back from outside? Did you sneak out to play?"
Bai Xiaolang nodded obediently, then reached out his arms with a pitiful look. "Want Mommy to hold me..."
The expressions of the surrounding males all changed.
’Mom?’
’Does this beautiful young female already have a first Beast Husband?’
’Although Bai Su has a superpower, she’s only Level Two. Her fertility probably isn’t very good.’
’Her looks and cooking skills are a bonus, but she isn’t acknowledged by the Bai family.’
’The position of her first Beast Husband might still be attractive, but to be her second... that wouldn’t be right. The status would be too low.’
Bai Su was amused. ’How could I not see through this little guy’s clumsy scheme?’
She didn’t refuse. Smiling, she scooped the little one into her arms and bid farewell to the crowd. "As you can see, the restaurant is closed for the night, and my hands are quite full. If you’d like to stop by, please come early tomorrow."
The males scattered, calling out friendly goodbyes.
Bai Xiaolang nestled contentedly in her arms, his small hands wrapped tightly around her neck.
’This is my mom! My real mom!’
Bai Su sensed the little one’s sudden affection and dependence. Though she didn’t understand it, she didn’t push him away. She simply held him and patted his back. "Our little wolf cub is being extra clingy today. Where did you run off to play? Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well and wanted to rest? What would you like to eat?"
Bai Xiaolang nuzzled comfortably into the crook of her neck. He breathed in her warm, sweet, peachy scent and relaxed completely, his voice soft and sweet. "I want to eat the shredded chicken noodles you make... Can I call you Mom from now on?"
"Of course you can! Then we’ll have noodles for lunch!"
Under a tree outside the courtyard, Lu Tingyan sat quietly in his luxury car, watching the heartwarming scene unfold. The light in his long, deep eyes flickered, making his thoughts impossible to read.
Yodel chose his words carefully. "The young master seems to really like Miss Bai. Are we still taking him back with us?"
Silence filled the car.
It wasn’t until the comforting aroma of food drifted out from the courtyard that Lu Tingyan finally spoke. "Let him stay here for now. We’re going back to headquarters."
Yodel froze. "Go back now? Sir, your body hasn’t fully recovered. If you go back now, won’t you blow your cover?"
Lu Tingyan: "Hm?"
Yodel immediately straightened his back.
’He’d almost forgotten. The Colonel hated it more than anything when his subordinates questioned his decisions.’
*
「Nightfall.」
Bai Su sat by the door, holding a bowl of mung bean porridge, a worried look in her eyes.
Bai Xiaolang asked, confused, "Mom, what are you waiting for?"
Bai Su gazed down the mountain path, her eyes filled with worry. "There’s an old man who comes up the mountain to eat here every day. We arranged for him to pick up a dish today, but he hasn’t shown up yet. I’m worried something might have happened to him."
Bai Xiaolang thought for a moment. "Is it the old man with the white beard and a pair of rhinoceros horns, the one who wears a Zhongshan suit?" freewebnσvel.cѳm
Bai Su nodded. "Yes, that’s him."
Bai Xiaolang said honestly, "I think I’ve been smelling his scent nearby."
Hearing this, Bai Su stood up in concern. "Alright, let’s go look for him. He’s so old. What if he’s not well and collapsed in the bushes somewhere?"
She had a soft spot for the old man, as he seemed to be quite knowledgeable about cuisine.
He’d come to her restaurant every day for the past few days and had even given her some excellent advice.
Just yesterday, he had recommended a new ingredient to her.
The Beast World had no fatty beef, and when she mentioned how delicious it was for hot pot, the old man told her about a type of poultry whose meat had a very similar texture.
It was rare to meet a fellow foodie in the Beast World.
Besides, though the old man dressed simply, he was always neat and clean. It was hard not to like him. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Bai Xiaolang nodded obediently.
It was a good thing they went out to look.
Following Bai Xiaolang’s keen nose, Bai Su found the unconscious old man in a patch of tall grass not far from the restaurant.
The old man’s face was deathly pale. A small bottle of pills lay scattered near his hand, the label indicating they were for a heart condition.
Bai Su quickly gave him the indicated dosage from the bottle, then she and Bai Xiaolang helped the man back to the restaurant.
Luckily, it wasn’t far from the restaurant.
It seemed the old man had suffered from heatstroke while climbing the mountain, triggering his heart condition.
She quickly ladled some of the porridge and fed it to him.
Her Healing Ability, combined with the medicine, took effect, and the color returned to the old man’s face.
He slowly opened his eyes, meeting Bai Su’s worried gaze.
Bai Su let out a sigh of relief and looked at him disapprovingly. "Honestly, sir, how could you come out all by yourself when you’re not well?"
"This mountain isn’t exactly a small hill, and you dare to climb it alone in the middle of summer."
"You always seem so spry when you talk and move, so I never gave it a second thought. I didn’t realize you had a heart condition."
"Does your family really just let you climb this mountain by yourself every day to eat here?"
"It’s a good thing I remembered you today and had my little one with his sharp nose come find you. Otherwise, you would have been in real danger!"
"Please don’t come up the mountain by yourself again, it’s too dangerous! Where is your family? I have some ingredients left in the fridge, I can whip something up for you. After you eat, you should call your family to come pick you up, all right? Don’t even think about going back alone..."
The white-bearded old man listened to her gentle, chiding words, a nostalgic look appearing in his eyes.
When Bai Su had finally finished her lecture, he reached out a trembling hand and took hers. "My dear girl, thank you so much for today."
Bai Su waved her hand with an amused smile. "I’ll accept that thank you. But please, don’t be so reckless next time. You have no regard for your own safety. Your family is going to give you an earful when you get back."
